Santa Claus Makes a Special Stop at Saint Joseph Berea

BEREA, Ky. (December 23, 2025) – A Saint Joseph Berea patient received a special visit from Santa Claus in hopes of lifting spirits and spreading holiday cheer. John Harding, 75, has been in the hospital since October due to cancer-related complications. He was recently transferred to Saint Joseph Berea for rehabilitation, to help him wean from a feeding tube and begin walking again.

Harding’s family says his spirits are low this holiday season. He will be missing Christmas with his family and the annual traditions near and dear to him, like dressing up as Santa for his grandchildren. Feeling discouraged, Harding is struggling to eat without a feeding tube and now weighs 70 pounds.

Harding’s grandson made a post in the “Let’s Grow Berea” Facebook group asking if someone could dress up as Santa and visit John at Saint Joseph Berea to help lift his spirits.

A caregiver at Saint Joseph Berea saw the post, and asked the family if they could surprise Harding with a visit from Santa and other Christmas characters like Santa’s elves, the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who. Harding’s entire family was invited to join the surprise.

“This was a special need that we wanted to provide. We want to bring some sense of normalcy to our patients,” said Jackie Maynard, quality and patient safety manager at Saint Joseph Berea. “Our staff went out of the way, above and beyond, because that’s what we do.”

Hospital staff not only wanted to spread Christmas cheer, but also encourage Harding to eat. They brought fun snacks and candy for the whole family to enjoy. Santa joked with Harding, saying, “You’re a bit smaller than me. You need to eat to get a big belly like Santa.”

“It really touched me that they would go through that much trouble to lift his spirits,” said Karen Barron, Harding’s daughter. “I don’t think anywhere else would have done that for him. He was very grateful – we all were – and the kids were so excited.” 

Since the visit, Harding has asked his family for a Christmas tree for his room. He is trying to eat better and finally gaining an appetite.

“Our family wants him well enough so he can come home. And that’s what Saint Joseph Berea’s goal is, too,” Barron said. “They want him to get better.”

About Saint Joseph Health

Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services to build a healthier future for all. Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.

About Saint Joseph Berea

Saint Joseph Berea is a 25-bed critical access hospital located in Berea, Kentucky. Established in 1898 on the grounds of Berea College, the facility serves residents of Madison, Estill, Garrard, Jackson and Rockcastle counties. Saint Joseph Berea recognizes the importance of family, friends and familiar surroundings in the healing process and provides a breadth of services so that getting first-rate care doesn’t have to mean being far from home.